Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Broad Run Stream Valley Park

By Tim Jon

Funny how despite the fragility of life it seems that Nature can often abide in very close proximity to mankind and our so-called civilization. We see the reverse of this pattern as well with flora and fauna wilting before our progress, so I’m always heartened when I observe any vital signs of life within the workings of humanity. Now I know that’s a lot to chew on, and I had hardly formulated these thoughts in their entirety at their place of inspiration—but I definitely had the basic idea by the time I’d completed my short exploration at the local site known as Broad Run Stream Valley Park. 

The whole thing started before I’d parked my car in the adjoining neighborhood—having circumnavigated much of the preserve’s acreage, seeking in vain for any designated area for visitors’ vehicles. 

I mean, this place was smack dab in the middle of American suburbia. I believe at one point I turned around in the driveway of a public school, where I exchanged a few pleasantries with a couple of whitetail deer—who appeared to be just about as confused as I was. Feeling a bit better after this brief exchange, I only circled my destination once more before settling into a spot near the trail access. 

The neighborhood sidewalk led right up to the official walking trail, and entering into the greenery of a mature stand of trees and underbrush, I was on my way along the day’s odyssey. It didn’t take long for me to notice that the path—although at times felt like it led through the ‘deep woods,’ actually more or less paralleled and skirted the nearby neighborhood. 

At times, the trees and shrubbery obliterated the man-made structures, and at others, the trail led right past the homes—with a more or less ‘backyard’ feel to the experience. Throughout the length I traversed, though, the creatures of the wild seemed perfectly happy with this juxtaposition: I heard, and saw, many varieties of bird life along the entire length of my walk. 

The trail also led past a small fishing pond, with multiple participants engaged in their favorite pastime. The community had kept the area around the water mown short, and a storm-water drain emptied into the pond, with riprap rock leading to the water for erosion control. 

Again, I noted the blending of the natural elements with man-made, or at least man-placed features. At the juncture of the walking trail with the best views of the fishing pond, I passed a thoughtfully-placed park bench for anyone wishing to take it easy, while taking in all the excitement of those with rod & reel, down below at the water’s edge. 

Another heartening factor that struck me, walking along the ‘greenest’ portions of the trail, was the mere size and obvious age of some of the more mature specimens of trees. These portions of the forest—despite their close proximity to (and being surrounded by) the nearby houses—evidently represented old growth timber, counting more years on their inner rings than any of us humans in Loudoun County. I could imagine those two deer I spotted in nearing the Park as being ‘right at home’ in a setting like this. I know I was—at least for the short time I took enjoying my walk. 

Now, you may very well wonder why I marvel so at this meeting of Man and Nature at this spot in our locality. Understood and acknowledged. My surprise and delight in the discovery comes after living here for over a quarter-century, and witnessing over and over again the mass creation of dwellings (not necessarily a bad thing in its own right) at the expense of every blade of grass, every tree, every shrub—and each vulnerable specimen of fauna in the wake of the developers’ bulldozers. Again, I’m not against people and houses—I would just like to see a little of the natural world, preserved for enjoyment, education, recreation—and balance. 

You know, as a matter of fact, I’d like to live in a world where we all feel as if there’s room for all things, and all beings. Now, how would that be? And, if you’d like to give it a little test drive, park your car in the neighborhoods on the outskirts of Broad Run Stream Valley Park, get out, take the sidewalk to the trail access, and experience it for yourself. See?